# NTSB LAX69F0283: Ercoupe 415-CD, N3454H, Sunset Beach, CA, March 8, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 8, 1969
- Place: Sunset Beach, CA · SUNSET BEACH, CA
- Location: 33.7164° N, 118.0690° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sunset Beach, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7164&lon=-118.0690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX69F0283
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0283

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0947   69/3/8    SUNSET BEACH,CAL    ERCOUPE 415-CD      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 147
        TIME - 1300                    N3454H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 123 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MEADOWLARK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3454H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3454H), registered now, S/N 4079, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415-CD
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420324) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Meadowlark

## Other investigations on N3454H (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW92LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA139), May 22, 1992: Ercoupe 415-CD (N3454H), Van, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.